Most people think of their grandmothers when they talk about fur coats and accessories. If you're from the school of thought that fur is not fashion forward, you might be surprised to hear that fur is very trendy this fall and winter. In fact, Fashion Week in New York featured many fur coats, vests and accessories by luxury designers like Michael Kors, Givenchy, and Fendi. Although most of us cannot readily afford these high end brands, many affordable ready to wear collections included fur in their lines for winter.

The question of whether fur is ethical or not is a whole other conversation. What I will say is that if you don't believe in furs, you can still enjoy faux fur. Many designers now use faux fur to keep the retail cost down or simply because they are fighting for the cause. One must be cautious to make sure that the faux fur she chooses is of good quality so that it will still look great many months from now.

Many designers at Fashion Week featured knee length fur coats in varying shades and colors, sometimes mixed with feathers and other materials. Fluffy and overly enlarged coats were paired with skinny pants, small dresses and other garments. The showstopper was the fur coat itself, outside of other pieces of clothing or accessories it was paired with. For the most part, this is very dramatic for women living in the real world! The good news is that there are some fabulous options to show off fur in a very fashion forward way without going full on.

Fur Minimalist
Sometimes, the minimalist can take the prize. For a less dramatic effect, choose a top, dress or jacket with a fur trimmed collar or opt for fur trim at the wrists. You can also wear a fur scarf with a nice wool or leather coat to achieve the same effect. To amp it up, try a coat or jacket with fuller lapels that are lined with fur. Big and fluffy fur lapels are very fashion forward and you shouldn't be afraid of size. Also, fur is not exclusive to fashion apparel! You can further accessorize with a fur clutch or small handbag.

Take it a Step Further
If you really want to show off your adventurous, fur-loving side, you can be bolder by choosing a more outrageous texture and opting for jackets, coats and vests that feature fur beyond the collar. Short waist length fur jackets are a great option. For a more detailed look, go for long and hairy fur textures that are streaked or colored, or furs that are crimped and very fluffy. Vests are a also great option and so are coats with full fur arms. Some coats also feature fur on different parts like the back, shoulders or body only. Wear fur accented pieces made with black leather or bright colored wool for a fashion forward look.

How Not to Wear Fur
There are very few occasions where you'll want a full length or an extremely traditional fur. The trick to fur fashion is to choose the right size, texture and color. Traditional furs offer little shape, and paired with a classic color or texture, can look a little dated. So to avoid the grandmother look, you'll want to find fur accented garments that offer a great fit and attractive, modern elements in the design.